If you are searching for jobs in Colorado, you have come to the right place. My name is Loren Kelly, and I am a Colorado Resume Writer living in Castle Rock! I specialize in resume strategy for mid-career and young professionals. If you’re looking for your next job, implement these top five resume tips from a Colorado resume writer!
1. Relevant highlights instead of your entire career story
Many candidates believe their resume should tell their full career story. After a few years of experience, their resume becomes long, and they find it impossible to keep it to one page. It is essential to think of your resume as a tool to get the invite to an interview. More information does not mean a better resume. Instead, carefully chosen information is key.
When writing your resume for a specific job, ask yourself: “What is most relevant and important for this employer/role?” Then, select the experiences, outcomes, and duties that will speak to that employer.
2. Write for AI and human eyes
Most organizations are now using artificial intelligence to save time screening applicants. That means your resume has to pass a software screener before it ever lands in front of human eyes. As a result, your resume must be optimized for applicant tracking systems and human hiring managers!
How do you do that? Well, a big part of resume writing for applicant tracking systems is using keywords, which I am discussing next in tip three! As far as writing for human eyes, I highly recommend choosing tailored headings (I’m talking about under tip four!) and using formatting tools to emphasize key outcomes and duties on your resume. If you have experiences that you know the employer is seeking, bold those phrases or lines on your resume so it pops off of the page to human eyes.
3. Keywords are key
A huge part of writing a resume for applicant tracking systems is to use keywords. Carefully analyze the job description and pay close attention to the verbiage used. Identify key skills, duties, and outcomes, then use that language on your resume. ATS (applicant tracking systems) scan resumes to determine language matches. If your resume contains the keywords entered in the ATS, you have a much better chance of moving on to human eyes.
4. Make your headings work for you
I see a lot of resumes with the headings “Education” and “Work Experience.” These headings are accurate, but they are generic. Headings are an excellent opportunity to use a keyword from the job description. This will appeal to the ATS and to the hiring manager. You could title your work experience section “Work Experience.” Or, you could title it “Marketing and Market Research Experience.” Which heading will catch the attention of hiring managers? Their eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to read the more specific and compelling heading. I offer a lot of resume heading and organization strategy tips in this blog post! It’s an excellent article for anyone writing or revising a resume.
5. Outcomes over job duties or generic skills
This last tip is crucial! I tell my clients daily, “Anyone can say they have a skill or certain experience. What proves that skill or experience is an outcome or deliverable!” As a Colorado resume writer, I help clients take their resumes from ordinary to extraordinary by identifying key outcomes and deliverables that speak to hiring managers.
Job searchers’ most significant obstacle is remembering or identifying deliverables and outcomes! This is where a professional resume writer can help. I spend a lot of time analyzing job descriptions, meeting with clients, and uncovering those gems that make your resume shine!
Colorado Resume Writer
My name is Loren Kelly, and I love living and working in Colorado. If your goal is to find your next role here in the Centennial State, reach out! I’d love to connect, learn about your goals, and offer you some tips. Book a free consultation today!
